File



United States Patent Eduardo Cuenca 2735 Bel-Aire Circle, Tampa, Florida 33614 [21] Appl.No. 682,773

[22] Filed Nov. 14, 1967 [45] Patented Nov. 10, 1970 [72] lnventor [54] FILE l0 Clalms, 2 Drawing Flgs.

['52] U.S. Cl 312/184, 312/330 [51] Int. Cl A47b 63/00, 1342f 15/00, A47b 88/00 [50] Field of Search 312/184;

24/3.1,241(S), 253, 254; 16/872; 129/16(H), 16.7(A); 2ll/4l,45,48, 123

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,209,083 12/1916 Wagner 24/241UX 2,839,203 6/1958 Becker 211/184 2,962,335 11/1960 Benson 312/184 FOREIGN PATENTS 947,903 l/1964 Great Britain 312/184 1,247,380 10/1960 France 312/184 Primary ExaminerCasmir A. Nunberg AttorneyStefan M. Stein ABSTRACT: A file folder structure with-multiple flexible straps, affixed to the exterior surface of a conventional file folder, the ends of the straps having openable rings whereby the folder may be suspended in parallel support bars spanned between two wall structures but preferably two wall mounted brackets.

FILE

This invention relates to a file folder structure and more particularly to a structure for a file folder which enables it to be suspended on parallel support bars spanned between two supports, preferably bracket-standard wall-affixed supports. The suspension causes the file to automatically remain upright and closed, however, it may be easily opened for insertion or removal of paperwork.

In the past, file folders have normally been stored in file drawers and rested on the bottom of such drawers. This type of storage requires that the folders be tightly packed to prevent them from leaning or opening. In most instances, spacing elements have been provided for drawers which are not completely full to avoid such leaning or opening but this has not proved too satisfactory.

When replacing a folder into such a drawer arrangement, it is necessary to first position the lower edge of the folder by shoving all the folders in the file forwardly or backwardly. Unfortunately, most file folders have little lateral strength. Occasionally, to avoid this, a clerk will jam the papers to bt inserted down into the desired folder all too frequently causing bending, soiling, creasing, or dog eared papers.

ln an attempt to overcome such, side access to folders has been provided but problems still exist with respect to usage of such side access folders. For one, the folder is complicated in structure because of the side entry provision of the file cabinet. Another problem is the complicated movement required to make such a side entry.

Top entry hanging folders have also been attempted but these retain some of the disadvantages of the bottom resting folders discussed above. Furthermore, the hanging structure is expensive, requires a complicated support structure not easily installed and, in general, leaves much to be desired.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel hanging file folder with side entry provision.

Another object is to provide a folder of the above character which will automatically remain upright.

Still another object is to provide a folder of the above character which will automatically remain closed.

A further object is to provide a folder of the above character which can be easily and conveniently removed or replaced from its file cabinet.

A still further object is to provide a folder of the above character which by reason of its independent hang, avoids the need to reposition all other folders in the file cabinet.

Another object is to provide a folder of the above character which does not require spacer elements for partially filled cabinets.

Another object is to provide a folder of the above character which has a simple inexpensive structure.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

A unique hanging file folder structure has now been devised which involves a conventional file folder with flexible straps around it, said straps having openable rings at each end. The file folder may be hung on parallel shafts which may be spanned between two walls but preferably between two brackets affixed to a \i all.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a prospective view showing several such file folders suspended on supports spanned between a wall and a wall bracket.

FIG. 2 is a prospective detail view of one of the openable rings.

Similar reference characters refer to similar throughout the several views of the drawing.

parts As seen in FIG. 1, the file folder structure of this invention consists of two flexible straps l0 and 12 affixed to the exterior of a conventional file folder 14 such as a manila folder. The straps may be cloth, tape, with or without fiber therein, woven or extruded plastic, metal or plastic strapping or any other suitable material and may be affixed to the folder by adhesive, by staples, by stitching or other conventional fastening means. Straps 10 and 12 are normally parallel to each other and are preferably spaced equidistant from the vertical ends of folder 14. The two straps l0 and 12 form a U-shaped suspension which cradles the folder.

Each end of straps l0 and 12 has a ring 20 affixed to it. The ring may be the commercial loose leaf binder ring found in the market. As seen in H6. 2, the ring is preferably attached by looping the end of the strap through the ring folding the loose end upon itself and then fastening the folder end with the ring 20 in it with a fastener 22 such as a rivet, a bolt, a grommet or other conventional fasteners well known in the trade, to the top edge of the folder 14.

It should be noted that the ring 20 is preferably of the openable type, as shown in detail in FIG. 2. Each half of the ring is pivotable at pivot 26 with the pivot preferably located within the loop of the strap. Locking teeth 24 at the upper free ends of each half of the ring 20 enables locking of the ring in a closed condition. Alternately, the pivot 26 may be spring loaded.

A side opening file cabinet 30 with two parallel supports 32 extending between end walls 34 (only the left wall shown in FIG. 1) may be used. Preferably however, the supports are spanned between two brackets 36 (only one shown) affixed to wall standards 38 which have been secured to a wall 40 via bolts 42. The space between supports 32 equals the space between straps 10 and 12 on the file folder. The supports are preferably substantially horizontal but, of course, if biasing toward one end of the file cabinet is desired to cause automatic sliding of each file toward one end, the parallel supports 32 may be angled toward that end of the cabinet.

In the normal use of the invention, rings 20 are opened, placed about supports 32 so that the two rings on each end of a singlestrap. are concentric about one support. The ring is then closed whereby teeth 24 lock the ring closed.

It should be obvious that folder 14 may now be displaced horizontally within cabinet 30 by merely sliding all four locked rings 20 associated with folder 14. along the supports. As seen by the illustration of the rightmost folder of FIG. 1, the folder may be opened while within file cabinet 30 by extending the space between the rings associated with each flap of the folder. it can also be seen in FIG. 1 that the weight of the folder as well as the contents therein will create a tension in the straps. The horizontal component of said tension will tend to keep the folder in a vertical position and closed. Access to each folder may be had through either side of the folder. Or it may be removed from cabinet 30 by simply opening rings 20 and lateral movement of said folder sideways out of the cabinet. Since no force, or even contact, between adjacent folders occurs during such removal, there is no need to jam folders together to remove one or insert papers thus reducing substantially the likelihood of damage to papers stored therein. Indeed, it has been found that papers may be removed and replaced by simply sliding said papers through the open end of the folder as seen in FIG. 1. Such has made the file folder structure of this invention very acceptable to banks, government agencies, data processing organizations and the like who have great need for easy access to printed forms.

Cabinet 30 may be in the form of a drawer if this is desired, provided the front of said drawer pivots open or the side of the drawer drops for side access.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A file folder structure comprising a folder consisting of a folded sheet, at least two flexible straps affixed in spaced relationship to each other to the exterior surface of said folder, means on the ends of said straps to hang said straps from spaced supports. a

2. The file folder structure ofclaim 1 wherein said means on the ends of said straps comprise rings of an openable type.

3. The file folder structure of claim 2 wherein said rings are spring loaded so as to cause them to be biased closed.

4. The file folder structure of claim 1, with said structure of a file cabinet, said folder being suspended beneath parallel supports extended across said file cabinet.

5. The file folder structure of claim 4 wherein said file cabinet is side opening.

6. The file folder structure of claim 4, wherein said file cabinet comprises a wall, at least two spaced wall standards affixed thereto, a bracket in each standard and said parallel supports spanned between and affixed at its ends to the bracket of each standard.

7. The file folder structure of claim 1 wherein said straps are fastened to said folder with an adhesive.

8. The file folder structure ofclaim 1 wherein said straps are fastened to said folder with staples.

9. The file folder structure of claim 1 wherein said straps are fastened to said folder with stitching through said straps and one side of said folder.

[0. A file folder structure comprising a folder consisting of a folded sheet with the bight thereof in the lowermost position, at least two rings of an openable type attached to the upper edge of each fold in spaced relationship to each other and adapted to slidably and removably hang said file folder structure to two parallel supports. 

